Editor's Note: So many beers, so little time. One Big Bottle spotlights the brews we're sipping, one by one.

[Photo: Robyn Lee]

The initial aromatic burst of ripe mango aside, this collaboration IPA isn't a typical citrus-and-resin West Coast hop bomb. Instead, there's a pungent layering of spicy and herbal hops. The slightly sweet, vegetal quality of the Sencha tea added during dry-hopping gives complexity and becomes more prominent as the beer warms a bit. Sorachi Ace hops add bright lemongrass to round out the mix.

This hazy gold beer is big—its 9.2% ABV and 70 IBUs push it well into double IPA territory, but it's not sticky or thick. The tannins of the tea enhance the beer's dryness and linger on the tongue.

Stone Brewing Co. created this with Guam's Ishii Brewing Co. and Japan's Baird Brewing Co., and proceeds benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society and their efforts to rebuild Japan in the wake of the tsunami and earthquake that ravaged the country earlier this year. Lend a hand and drink it fresh.

Disclosure: Sample provided for review.

About the Author: Jonathan Moxey is a Harlem-based homebrewer and BJCP beer judge. He hosts private beer tastings for Tapped Craft Beer Events.

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